Via Passengers Left Scrambling Ahead Of Possible Strike
Posted July 23, 2009 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Via Rail passengers were left scrambling Thursday amid news the company has cancelled routes in anticipation of a possible strike.
The rail line is in talks with Teamsters Canada Rail Conference which represents more than 300 locomotive engineers.
The union has said its members will walk off the job at noon on Friday if no deal has been reached.
Via has already halted some long-distance trains so its customers will not be stranded en-route if the strike happens.
But that has meant long lineups at Union Station for those hoping to get a refund or change their tickets.
The engineers have been without a contract since the end of 2006.
Also Thursday, Coach Canada announced revised schedules for VIA passengers, suggesting those with travel plans from Toronto and Montreal could use it as an alternative.
Meanwhile, CityNews reporter Andrea Piunno talked with one family who says its trip of a lifetime has been ruined by the sudden potential stoppage, stranded because of long-distance cancellations.
Watch her story below.
